Visiting White Sands National Park with kids

This post may contain affiliate links.

Nestled in the Southern part of New Mexico is one of America’s newest National Parks and it is a must see! White Sands National Park boasts over 145,000 acres of gypsum dunes and trails and provides opportunities for activities like hiking and sand sledding. Read on for more tips for what to know and what to do with kids at White Sands National Park.

Where is the park located?

White Sands National Park is located in Southern New Mexico with the cities of Alamogordo and Las Cruces being closest. El Paso, Texas is the nearest commercial airport.

Can I bring kids to White Sands National Park?

Yes! White Sands National Park is a family-friendly spot with a little preparation. It will be chilly and windy in the winter months and very hot in the summer months. Sand sledding can be done throughout the park and there are also a few trails that are great with little ones.

When should I visit?

The summer months are hot – you can easily get triple digit temperatures. Combine the glaring sun with the white sand and you definitely need some sunglasses! If you opt to go during this season, visiting earlier or the later in the day and following the water guidance is a must. The summer months can also bring monsoon storms.

The winter months will be cool and potentially very windy. But, the overcast skies provide a little reprise from the vast openness.

Spring and Fall are great options for milder temps.

What can I do with kids at White Sands National Park?

You can do so much with kids! Consider adding the following to your visit:

• Check out the Visitor’s Center upon arrival to learn more about the park. Consider participating in the Junior Ranger program.
• Drive around the park. The park has a scenic 8-mile loop that takes about 45 minutes. A great way to see the park if the weather isn’t cooperative.
• Sand sledding – bring your own sled or rent from the visitor’s center ($15-20 for used & new sleds). Be sure to also bring or buy wax for the sleds.
• The Interdune Boardwalk is a 0.4 miles roundtrip and suitable for both strollers and wheelchairs. A great way to see the dunes without walking on the sand.
• For those wanting to walk on the sand, the Dune Life Nature Trail (1 mile loop) and the Playa Trail (0.5 mile round trip) are great choices with kids.
• Many people bring bikes and cycle parts of Dunes Drive. A fun way to see the park but be sure to wear a helmet and bright colored clothing since this road is also used by motor vehicles.
• Consider joining a ranger-led Sunset Stroll (45-60 minutes).
• With older kids, check out the Full Moon Hikes which are about 1 mile of walking on sand (1.5 hours total). Children are welcome but they need to stay close to parents.

What should I pack?

• Water – ensure everyone in your group has a water bottle and you also have additional water to refill bottles. There is a water fountain at the Visitor’s Center.
• Food – pack a picnic lunch and enjoy it in one of the covered picnic table areas located throughout the park. While the White Sands Trading Post (at the Visitor’s Center) has a some offerings, it is very limited. There are no sit down restaurants in the park and there is no food along the roadside for quite a while (your closest options are Alamogordo and Las Cruces). Pack plenty of snacks as well.
• Clothing
  • For cooler months, ensure you have layers with a warm jacket to provide warmth from the wind chill. Hat and gloves can also be useful.
  • For warmer months, wear lightweight, breathable clothing to protect from the sun and sand. A sun hat is a must as well as sunglasses.
• Footwear – the gypsum is quite cool to touch year round. In the winter months, the sand is quite frigid so going barefoot is not always the best idea. Consider sandals or shoes you don’t mind getting very sandy to help provide some foot comfort.
• Sleds
• Other toys for kids – my son loved using his toy cars in the sand. We also saw some families with kites. Your normal beach toys can also be fun for sand play.
• Camera for the amazing photo ops!

Where do you stay?

The two options for accommodations nearby at Alamogordo (15 minute drive) and Las Cruces (a little under an hour). We opted to stay at the Home2 Suites by Hilton Alamogordo. This property was newer, very clean and has spacious suites that worked great for our family. They did offer a complimentary breakfast each morning and had amenities like a pool, fitness center and fire pits. The city of Alamogordo is spread out so you will definitely need a car. You’ll mostly find chain restaurants for your dining options.

What else do I need to know?

Other tips for your trip:

• White Sands National Park is next to White Sands Missile Range. It is critical to check the National Park Service website prior to your visit (1-2 days before) to see if there is any missile testing. If there is, they close the road between Alamogordo and Las Cruces (which is where the only park entrance is).
• Because of the missile testing, be sure to buffer your schedule for visiting. Consider having at least 1-2 nights nearby in case the park is not accessible.
• The Ranger Station and Visitor’s Center have different hours meaning you can often get into the park earlier than the Visitor’s Center is open. The Visitor’s Center has restrooms, sled sales and more so plan accordingly. Visit the White Sands National Park page for the seasonal hours.
• In Alamogordo, we also visited McGinn’s Pistachioland (home of the world’s largest pistachio!) and the Alameda Park Zoo.

Have more questions about visiting White Sands National Park with kids? Please drop a question below and I will respond.